Entrepreneurship and Business BA (Hons)
Learn how to spot business opportunities and bring new products to market. This course is for you whether have a business idea or not. Modern business needs creative thinkers — so we’ll give you the tools you need to bring value to the corporate world, or help you get your own business off the ground.
Key information
UCAS code:
N150, N155
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Explore business and entrepreneurship in one of the UK’s most entrepreneurial cities as you discover core business topics and access University startup support.
If you already have a new business idea, we’ll help you develop it with practical business modules and direct support from our dedicated start-up team. If not, this course will give you the skills you need to support and grow the businesses you work for.
Organisations of all sizes need passionate people with an entrepreneurial mindset to foster creativity and manage innovation every day. That’s why many of our graduates go on to apply their skills in managing innovation, new products and business growth for existing organisations.
You’ll develop a strong foundation of knowledge in key areas of business such as marketing, managing people, and operations management. You’ll learn to spot opportunities, develop your entrepreneurial skills, and explore how to create value by developing new products, as well as learning the processes you need to bring them to market.
If you choose to do an industry placement after your second or third year, you could complete a paid placement with an existing organisation or undertake a self employed placement year and develop your own business with support from our Placement Club and startup support.
Whether you want to run your own company or to develop your business and management skills to excel in an existing organisation, this course gives you the knowledge, skills and experience you need to succeed.
My favourite part of the course was the real life experience gained working with clients, instead of just working from textbooks and case studies.
Course highlights
- Experience a practical course, where you'll apply your knowledge to real-life projects, such as helping local businesses in our Business Consultancy Project, developing your own venture, or setting up a social enterprise
- Be mentored by one of our successful Entrepreneurs in Residence
- Understand the processes of innovation and change in a business and how these can stimulate growth and competitiveness
- Gain an understanding of how different business models work and how these generate value in a variety of contexts
- Benefit from the workshops, drop-in sessions and funding opportunities provided by our student start-up team
- Use your placement year to develop your own business, either independently or by working with other students to combine your strengths and knowledge, or to work in another innovative business
- Learn in one of the UK's most entrepreneurial cities – between 2019 and 2020, the number of new businesses launched in Portsmouth grew by 33% (InstantOffices survey 2020)
- Gain an understanding of how all the parts of a business work together and rely on each other
- Opt to do a foundation year with ICP to get uni-ready ahead of this course, then take up a guaranteed place on this full Bachelor's degree when you successfully finish your foundation year
No. 3
influential business school in the world
Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021
94%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22)
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accreditation
We have partnered with the CMI so that you can gain a value added professional qualification alongside your degree. Students on our BA Entrepreneurship and Business degree can be awarded a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership upon successful completion of their degree programme. Upon joining their degree course, students become members of the CMI and are able to access a range of benefits, resources and events to support their professional development.
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsBe part of an entrepreneurial community
Portsmouth is one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the UK and as a University we're actively supporting entrepreneurship within the city and the surrounding region. When you join us as a student you'll be part of a much wider community of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial thinking.
Innovation Connect
You can work alongside other local entrepreneurs in our dedicated start-up spaces. As a student you can get a free or reduced fee office space and be part of the Innovation Connect community.
Female Entrepreneurs Network
Connect with other women running their own businesses across Portsmouth and Hampshire through our free networking events and social networks.
Enactus Portsmouth
Be a catalyst for change and join this student-led group to set up social enterprises that tackle issues in and around Portsmouth.
Clearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements (September 2025 start)
Typical offers for BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Worried about your grades?
If you're not sure you meet the entry requirements, or need some help to get uni-ready, then we offer BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business with a Foundation Year through our partners at ICP to bring you up to speed. When you successfully finish, you'll get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business.
Find out more about our foundation years with ICP
Typical offers for BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business with Foundation Year
- UCAS points - 32 tariff points at A level, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 5.5 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
Ideal skills and qualities for this course
Students who really benefit fully from this course are open-minded, enjoy getting involved in real, practical tasks and are open to challenge.
You don't need to have a business idea or necessarily want to run your own business to get a place on this course. If you do have an idea we'll do everything we can to help it grow, but mostly we're looking for changemakers, people who want to bring change to whatever working environment they're in.
Read Vincent's storyThey saw I had big ideas and passion and they offered me a place studying business right away. That personal approach was so important; I knew I'd made the right choice.
Careers and opportunities
100% of graduates from this course are in work or further study 15 months after graduation according to the latest HESA Graduate Outcome Study.
Several of our students set up their own business during the course, or go on to run their own business after graduation. Many others, however, go on to apply their skills in existing businesses, particularly in the areas of product development and marketing.
Post-Covid the business development skills you'll learn on this course are likely to be more needed than ever. The Harvard Business Review recently wrote that:
"Companies seeking to emerge from the crisis in a stronger position must develop a systematic understanding of changing habits.....they must highlight anomalies and challenge mental models, revamp their business models and invest their capital dynamically."
Ed Adams - BA (Hons) Business Management and Entrepreneurship graduate
Alumnus Ed Adams graduated in 2017 and is now a Director of E-commerce at his own company. Ed discusses building an enterprise society and how the Faculty of Business and Law enabled him to network with alumni in Silicon Valley and helped him to start his own successful business.
My name is Ed Adams and I am the Director of my own company, I'm an Amazon seller.
I sell Amazon FBA, which is fulfilled by Amazon. I see an exciting product that I really want to push onto the Amazon platform and see the success of products.
Finishing A-levels, I really wanted to get a year out and just go and see the world but I was really keen to come back and do an entrepreneurial course and looking around the UK, Portsmouth just had the perfect course.
In my course of studying business, enterprise and development, I bumped into Zoe Dann, who is the course leader. We're there discussing what I'd like to see in my three years at the University of Portsmouth.
I said I'd really like to have an enterprise society. She said there was one but it's all kind of come to a close, why don't you start one?
I think it was in that same conversation, she kind of finished it off saying, why don't you build a society and take the society to Silicon Valley?
Then that kind of set the foundations, I guess, to what it became. So there's tons of alumni all over the place.
Using LinkedIn, we were able to link up with those guys in the Silicon Valley area. We made appointments with the guys and that kind of led to structuring these interviews with them. We recorded the interviews with these Portsmouth Alumni. I looked up to these people. Speaking to ex-Facebook alumni people that have worked pretty much next to Mark Zuckerberg's office and kind of seeing that their journey from the University of Portsmouth all the way to Silicon Valley and beyond a passion was lit.
To have my business now and to have it up and running and to see it being successful, I think that's credit to the university for putting me on that path to where I am now.
I think that the University of Portsmouth was there and I was able to lean on those resources, and that was always a bit of guidance and they were really willing to help me get what I needed.
The thing that really motivates me is just to be kind of my own boss, to really be an entrepreneur in my own remit and drive my own business forward. It gets me up in the morning. It's my passion. This is my drive.
Previous graduates of this course have secured jobs at companies such as:
- Origin Kitchen
- Cera Data
- Buckinghamshire Council
- Magnolia
- Worldwide Business Research
- The Future Factory
Graduates of this course have secured jobs within 15 months of graduation as:
- director of sales
- data consultant
- business consultant
- business intelligence and insight officer
- business development representative
- sales executive
(Data sourced from HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey)
You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get work experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role. On top of this you'll get bespoke careers support through our faculty 'career-ready' programme.
Business Consultancy Project
Work for a client on a real brief in this optional Business Consultancy module.
Students work in teams of 3-4 to bid for a business project from local organisations, before working directly with the organisation to execute the project.
Clients range from small to medium sized organisations who could be from the private, public or third sector (such as charities, not-for-profits and community organisations).
Each project is different, but the tasks you compete could include:
- Using marketing theory to develop social media strategies
- Conducting competitor analysis
- Drafting sustainable business plans based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
- Conducting staff interviews
- Evaluating customer feedback
You’ll give your client regular updates on the project, and get feedback from them, other students and staff as you progress.
Past students have worked with Santander, local facilities management firm Inovolt, the Instant Kitchen Company startup, Solent Recovery College, and local radio station Express FM.
At the end of your project, you'll be invited to a celebratory event where you can network with representatives from the client organisations.
Read Charles' storyI received the annual Shaping Portsmouth Award for my University consultancy project, in which I redesigned the website for Shaping Portsmouth based on research and client requirements.
I was delighted to receive the award and see them use our design on their website to this day.
Work placement year
You can choose to spend this optional extra year developing your own business with the help of the University, or you can take a paid placement at another business.
Previous students on this course have had placements in organisations such as:
- Rolls Royce
- Disney
- Fujitsu
- IBM
- Ferrari
Many of our students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employers.
The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.
You could also choose to take a voluntary placement.
Bring your business to life
Start-up support
If you do have a business idea you'll get start-up support from our dedicated team. We organise free workshops, enterprise clinics and speaker events. We can give you advice and help you apply for funding.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
We have more than 20 experienced business entrepreneurs who can help you develop your business idea and guide you from their real-life experience. Many of the entrepreneurs are also involved with this course as speakers and mentors.
Start-up visas for international students
As an international student you can apply for a graduate visa after your studies if you want to stay in the UK and work.
If you're interested in setting up your own business in the UK after graduation and you're on a Tier 4 visa you can also apply for a UK Start-up Visa. This allows you to stay in the UK after graduation and set-up your business here. We're an endorsing institution for these visas.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Foundation year
If you're not sure you meet the entry requirements, or need some help to get uni-ready, then we offer this course with a foundation year to bring you up to speed.
- You'll study with our partners ICP on the University of Portsmouth campus with access to all facilities, support and societies
- When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business
- Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move on to your degree ready for success
- Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's degree at university
The module introduces candidates to the interesting challenges that ICT presents today and covers many anchor points that may serve as a bridge to their interests and lifestyles.
It also means you understand the value of scholarships, allowing you to move on to postgraduate programs at the University of Portsmouth.
You'll get the foundational knowledge and skills to get your ready to advance onto the first year of a degree at the University of Portsmouth. You'll gain an appreciation for the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage and operate a business.
Topics covered include the history and fundamental importance of economics, the demand and supply model, elasticity and its applications, different market structures such as perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. Additionally, you'll explore the circular flow model involving households, firms, the financial sector, governments, and the foreign sector. The module also covers concepts like the business cycle, unemployment, economic growth, inflation, and international trade.
These include approximation and substitution, estimation and percentages, applications of percentages in financial contexts, ratio and proportion, rules of indices, basic algebra, graphs, and quadratic equations.
You'll gain an appreciation for the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage and operate a business. Topics covered include core concepts in business studies, understanding the business environment, different forms of business structures, business strategy and planning, enterprise, innovation, and entrepreneurship. You'll also delve into basic financial statements, key financial ratios, costs, budgeting, an introduction to marketing concepts, and creating marketing plans.
Topics covered include an overview of accounting and financial reporting, basic numerical techniques for accounting, introduction to trading accounts and profit and loss accounts (income statements), understanding the cost of sales, balance sheets, and current assets and liabilities.
You'll recognise the legal aspects and requirements of companies, recall and define the basic principles of contract formation, and become familiar with the content of commercial and consumer contracts, including the use of exclusion clauses. The module will also enable you to define the law regarding the rights of individual employees.
Core modules
You’ll explore topics ranging from financial principles and reporting standards through to budgeting, costing and analytical problem-solving.
You'll gain an understanding of accounting’s indispensable role in informing strategy and operations for organisations, and finish this module with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to guide organisations towards financial control.
You'll finish this module better equipped to leverage data analytics for both strategic and operational decision-making.
The module introduces students to the concepts of debate and critical thinking (and associated skills/tools) which underpin academic study, while establishing linkages with the broader external environment in terms of employability, career management and progression planning. Therefore, the module addresses UoP hallmarks 4 - 11. Resources including reading and other learning materials will be shared via Moodle, providing relevant tools, frameworks and concepts which will then be applied to practical situations in class. The assessments will provide opportunities for formative/summative feedback both in class and online between students and tutors both in class and online.
Through lectures, seminars, and hands-on computer labs, you'll analyse data and interpret results with tools such as Excel.
By the end of this module you'll be able to demonstrate descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics and communicate insights to various audiences.
This practical experience equips you with valuable analytics and communication abilities that are sought-after in the world of business.
It introduces theoretical knowledge in the area of entrepreneurship in relation to opportunity identification and value creation, captures a wide range of entrepreneurship domains to provide a basic understanding of the discipline, and engages students with a practical entrepreneurial activity.
The Module draws on creativity, ideas generation, and exposure to the external business environment to explore the processes of opportunity recognition, transforming those into the value proposition, with its subsequent validation in the selected context.
Discover marketing's vital role in organisational strategy and decision-making.
You'll explore concepts like environmental analysis, segmentation and positioning, and learn how to identify opportunities and issues in a company's situation.
With assessments that focus on applying models to real companies, you'll get hands-on practice conducting audits, developing plans and advising on marketing activity
Core modules
Combining world-class research with real entrepreneurial experiences, you’ll develop business ideas within teams, evaluating concepts and building executable models. You'll work together to examine issues in venturing, from opportunity recognition to scaling.
With an emphasis on personal employability, you’ll identify your strengths while refining your presentation and networking skills.
This module fuels your entrepreneurial spirit and helps you turn ideas into realistic propositions — so that you'll graduate with portfolio pieces to showcase your business knolwedge and experience.
You'll examine entrepreneurship as independent business creation as well as the formation of corporate and social enterprises.
You’ll explore the evolving issues that shape startup theory and practice today. And with an emphasis on critical thinking, you’ll learn to draw conclusions aligned to current trends as you prepare for further self-directed study in this field.
You’ll examine issues affecting the development of new products and services — from intellectual property protection to forming strategic alliances.
Using case studies, you’ll contrast private sector and public sector innovation, and determine how to ensure financial viability.
By the end of this module you’ll be able to critically appraise how the successful management of innovation enables organisations to build a sustainable competitive advantage over time.
Develop core skills in financial and non-financial analysis, and learn how to critique everything from financial statements to market reports.
You’ll interpret intricate data sets and learn to identify meaningful insights to inform strategy and planning.
By blending lectures with seminars and completing coursework focused on real companies, you’ll evaluate data, identify issues and improve decision quality. With regular feedback, you’ll bridge the gap between theory and practice.
You'll finish this module ready to tackle problems with an analytical eye.
Gain hands on experience putting theory into practice, and using product management tools and frameworks to develop your own creative new product idea.
With assessments centered on analysing real organisations, you’ll evaluate decisions related to resourcing, positioning and launch - leaving you equipped to prepare watertight business cases for investment.
Upon completion, you'll have the strategic vision and product innovation skills to help brands create a portfolio of profitable new products.
Optional modules
The module will be delivered by means of lecture, independent work, analysis, group and individual problem solving, case studies and discussion.
All the identified skills in the LO's will be developed through seminar activities and will be utilised in tackling the assessments for this module.
Explore emerging technologies from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrencies — and analyse models and strategies for online sales, marketing and operations.
You'll discover the intricate development processes, innovative models, and cutting-edge applications reshaping modern business landscapes.
By engaging in critical discussions on business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce, you'll prepare to navigate the social, legal, and ethical dimensions shaping digital transactions.
You'll finish this module with an entrepreneurial spirit as you embark on hands-on projects by crafting dynamic websites that are tailored to real-world clients.
Explore event theories and planning models as you develop theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills for successfully planning, marketing and executing events.
Through group projects that mirror the way you'll work in industry, you’ll explore a range of event types and tailor your marketing plans to suit their needs — whether for business, cultural, or sporting events.
Core modules
Examples of past projects are: developing options for a bank for use of their banking halls for community financial education; creating a strategy for a facilities management firm to improve their marketing; helping a social enterprise to find ways to grow their user base with new service offerings.
You'll develop skills in teamwork, project management, design thinking and consultancy, and learn to practically apply business concepts from across your degree studies.
After an introduction to the organisation, your client will provide ongoing direction and guidance, and you'll be giving them regular progress updates. For most of the time, you'll be part of an independent, diverse team, managing priorities to achieve the project aims. You'll be supported throughout the module by your seminar tutor.
Much of your learning will be off-campus, meeting key stakeholders and conducting tasks such as customer surveys and interviews. We encourage an experimental and entrepreneurial approach, and you'll learn key skills in the seminars and online lectures. The coursework is a mix of 60% group work and 40% individual assessment.
Exploring the models and best practices related to ideation, development and launch, you’ll understand the processes that bring ideas to market.
Analysing factors from sustainability to globalisation, you’ll tackle the contemporary issues impacting development in the modern landscape. This module will equip you with understanding to give you a cutting edge in the jobs market.
With assessments focused on addressing real-world cases, you'll boost your strategic skills to manage initiatives smoothly from vision to rollout, leaving you prepared to champion disruption responsibly across industries ahead.
Complete activities to unlock your potential, clarify your strengths and address your key development areas.
With support from academic and industry mentors, you’ll build a career-focused portfolio that showcases your course learnings and key messages.
You'll learn to evaluate the opportunities available to you, empowering you to navigate uncertainty as an adaptable, ethical and life-long learner. You'll finish this module prepared to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
You'll employ primary investigative and scholarly techniques to illuminate issues - analysing internal dynamics alongside external forces to formulate actionable recommendations.
This independent module enables you to manage issue scoping, solution proposals and communication of multifaceted recommendations, showcasing your contextual mastery, creative-critical faculties and the adaptable mindset needed to guide enterprises amidst changing times.
By appraising issues at business and corporate levels, you'll develop expertise in applying strategic frameworks to identify options.
You'll examine theory, weigh evidence and propose strategies as you develop practical skills for issue resolution and driving strategic change. By the end of this module you'll be ready to evaluate propositions critically, and to recommend implementations to real-world challenges.
Optional modules
The Module makes use of case examples to review applicable theory and frameworks to illustrate the combined roles of Continuous Improvement (CI), Organisational Learning (OL), Change Management, and the importance of a Creative Environment (CE) as a springboard for innovation. This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in the application of ideas, methodologies, processes, and techniques for improving and sustaining organisational performance. The module emphasises the operationalising of business and functional strategy and focuses on how to facilitate and sustain successful change. The module evaluates the cultural, behavioural and human elements, and considers the role people have in leading and being part of successful and sustainable improvement.
The early stages of the module allow for a range of games to be undertaken in concert with the academic side being introduced.
Later in the module you'll be encouraged to work in teams, experiencing time and team pressure, and be exposed to to the non-financial aspects of negotiation and likely future stakeholders.
Together, these experiences form an international business toolkit for future budding and accidental entrepreneurs.
Use flexible project management tools that meet industry standards, and learn to differentiate between transformative initiatives and business-as-usual processes.
By evaluating real-world cases, you’ll analyse the contextual factors and stakeholder dynamics that position certain projects as strategic investments. With an outcome-oriented mindset, you’ll appreciate how disciplined planning, communication and risk mitigation leads teams to mobilise resources for impactful delivery.
This module equips you with a versatile project management toolkit and a strategic perspective that is highly valued across sectors.
It explores the responsibilities and boundaries of businesses in a range of contemporary environmental and social issues and in the context of differing ethical frameworks. In this module we will also investigate how areas ranging from business ethics, law, politics, economics, strategy and management affect our understanding and practice related to responsible and sustainable business. Topics addressed in this module include, but will not be restricted to: foundation in business ethics, stakeholder theory, definitions and conceptions and practical applications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
Core module
You'll spend your working industry, with support from our Placement Office.
You'll complete a placement portfolio for the duration of the placement, which will outline your key learning activities, and attend a Placement Student Day at the University to discuss your placement experience with the Placement Officer or your course leader.
When you successfully complete your placement it will be recognised in your degree transcript of achievement, and your degree certificate will state `in the sandwich mode'.
You may also choose to receive a Certificate of Professional Practice from the Faculty of Business and Law.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Ways to enrich your study
Study abroad year
In your second or third year you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.
Teaching
Our teaching focus on this course is very practical; we want you to learn by getting involved in applied learning. There's a great emphasis therefore on industry case studies, live client work, and new project development.
Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- live client work
- real-world projects
- lectures and guest lectures
- workshops
- seminars
We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Assessment
We use a diverse range of assessments and we focus on the types of work you'll be expected to complete in the workplace.
Assessment depends on the modules that you take, but assessment methods are likely to include:
- coursework (linked to the projects and client work)
- essays
- reports
- presentations
- practical exercises
- exams
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this course.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
In your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 14 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 21 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- Reflective writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2025)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,430 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,430 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
September 2025 start
To start BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N150
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To start BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Business with Foundation Year in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N155
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
Please note this foundation year with ICP isn't currently open to EU or International students.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.